Cigarette package



July 12, 1938. R. TowNsEND CIGARETTE PACKAGE Filed May 1l, 1935 2 ShetS-Sheet 1 R om Wl July 12, 1938.v

R. TOWNSEND CIGARETTE vPMKAGE Filed May l1, 1955 2 SheetS-Sheet 2 INVENTQR Rex Townsend BY i,

AT ORNEY Patented July 12, 1938 PATENT OFFICE 2,123,262 CIGARETTE PACKAGE Rex Townsend, New York, N. Y.

Application May 11, 1935, Serial No. 21,000

14 Claims.

This invention relates particularly to the packaging of cigarettes and other such Varticles, which require full protection but should be readily and quickly available to the user.

Special objects of the invention are therefore l to provide a wrapper and to form a container,

which while affording full protection to the contents, can be immediately and easily opened and lfurther, opened either partially or completely to expose as much of the contents as desired and to accomplish this neatly and effectively, without destroying or impairing the essential character of the package.

Other important objects of the invention are to attain the results outlined simply and inexpensively and by methods which will work in with the present practices of forming the wrappers and making up the packages now on the market.

Further objects and the novel features of construction, combinations and relations of parts by which `the objects are attained are set forth or will appear in the course of the following specication.

The drawings accompanying and forming part of the specification illustrate certain practical embodiments of the invention, but it should be understood that the structure is subject to change and modication, all within the true spirit and broad scope of the claims.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of one of the complete packages.

Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the Celloand the grip or tab portion projecting out` through slits in the c'overmaterials.

Fig. 6 is a similar view illustrating the ripper strip as located between layers of the wrapper materials.

Fig. i? is a broken perspective view illustrating the Cellophane cover as applied to leave an opening tab adjacent the tab of the ripper strip.

Fig. 8 is a broken diagrammatic view illustrating a method of forming and combining the ripper strip with the wrapper forming layers.

The conventional wrapping for a package of cigarettes consists-usually of an inside layer of thin paper or tissue, an intermediate layer of thin metallic foil, a' printed cover and a transparent outer cover of ACellophane or the like.

In the several views, the inside tissue layer is designated I0, the intermediate foil layer is indicated at II, the printed cover is shown at I2, and the outer so-called Cellophane covering is indicated at I3.

These several layers may be run as continuous strips from supply rolls and combined more or less as indicated in Fig. 8, with suitable, guides bringing them together in proper assemblage.

The present invention involves the combining with the wrapper materials of a so-called ripper strip indicated at I4, in the dlierent views and applied co-extensively along that edge portion of the wrapper which is to form the top or end of the package.

'I'his ripper strip as shown particularly in Fig. 5, may be of heavier material than the other layers and be secured by a continuous layer of adhesive I5.

In a construction like that shown4 in Figs. 4, 5 and 8, where the ripper strip is applied over the inside face of the tissue or inner layer I0, adhesive may be applied to the under face of the strip by passing the strip over anV adhesive roller I6, or this may be simply a wetting roller for moistening an adhesive coated face of the strip.

In a construction such as shown in Fig. 6, where the ripper strip is located between the inner and intermediate layers of the wrapper, adhesive may or may not be required, and when employed, in eitherl instance, adhesive may be continuous or in spots. Other means of fastening, such as staples or equivalent may be employed, and in some instances, particularly where the strip is located between layers, it may be sufficient to simply firmly lay the materials in proper relation, as for example, as indicated in Fig. 6, where the edge of the foil layer is shown as rolled over about the edge of the ripper strip atv I'I, sufficiently to hold this strip in place until the box or package is made up.

In a construction like Fig. 6, also there may be adhesive on both faces of the ripper strip to secure it both to the inside layer I0, and to the intermediate layer II. For reasons as will appear, in this intermediate position it may be desirable to at least have the ripper strip adhesively secured to the inside tissue layer.

In Fig. 4, the line of severance for one complete wrapper is indicated at I8, and the folding lines for forming the two side and the end panels are indicated at I9, 20, 2|, 22. Similarly, in this view, the main bottom fold line is indicated at 23, and the main top fold line is at 24, the latter coinciding with the lower edge of the ripper strip I4. The inclined tuck folds for forming the bottom panel are indicated at 25, and similar tuck fold lines for the top panel are shown at 26. These latter, it will be noted, extend across the tearing strip I4. v

Accordingly, when the wrapper is folded up into container form, the ripper strip will be folded along the same lines and coextensively with that portion of the wrapper which forms the top panel. This strip thus becomes a folded reinforcement completely covering or outlining the top panel, giving this top portion a degree of added stiffness and strength, holding it in shape and forming a top so much stronger than the balance of the package that it may be tornl away as a unit from the other walls of the container. Furthermore, and what is quite important, the inner edge of the ripper strip, coinciding as it does at 24, Fig. 4, with the folding line for the top, forms a shear edge which will in effect actually cut the top panel cleanly away from the upper edges of the side and end panels after the manner indicated in Fig. 2.

To afford a handy grip for starting the tearing away of the top, the ripper strip may have an extended tab 21, projecting from what is the inner edge of the same in Fig. 4, and preferably conveniently exposed at the outside of the cover.

In the first form of the invention, Figs. 4;, 5 and 8, the finger tab 21 is extended out through slits 28, in the inner and intermediate layers i0, Il, into position overlying the printed cover i2. Where located between the inner and intermediate layers as in Fig. 6, the tab may extend out through a slit 28, in the intermediate foil layer i I, and while a slit in the inner layer is not then essential, it may be retained as a matter of facilitating the tearing away of the inner layer of the top panel.

The tearing tab is located in the present illustration, at one end of the folded top panel, that is between the end fold lines 20, 2 I', Fig. 4. As-a consequence, when the strip is folded, with the wrapper materials along these lines, a certain amount of tension is put on that portion of the strip to which the tab is attached, which will cause the tab to hug fiat against the end panel of the container. Also, in the construction shown, the inclined tuck lines 26, slope inwardly across the strip to the opposite ends of this tab at the corners of the container and the folding in of the flaps on these lines exerts a certain amount of pull, tending to hold the flap closely against the end of the container. When the container is made up therefore, the tab has a tendency to fit closely in place against the end of the package.

To enable the top being readily torn away either completely to open up the entire contents, or only partially, such as to expose say only one row of cigarettes or 'other articles, the tearing strip may be perforated or otherwise weakened along one or more transverse lines, as indicated at 28, Figs. 3 and 4. When the wrapper is folded along the lines indicated in Fig. 4, portions of the ripper strip projecting inwardly as they will from the opposite side and end panels will overlap, substantially as indicated in the detached view of the top, Fig. 3. Accordingly, the weakened or perforated lines 29, will preferably be so spaced as to register in these overlapped portions to enable easy tearing of the doubled layers.

While the transparent outer cover may be of more or less usual design, such as shown in Fig. 1, with a projecting flap for opening the same at one side of the top at 30, it is at present preferred that this Cellophane cover be made up in the nature of that indicated in Fig. 7, with an opening flap 3|, at the end of the top immediately above the ripper tab 21, so that with the package held in one hand, the Cellophane flap may be torn away directly over the ripper tab and the latter then immediately grasped in the same i'ingers to tear away the top, entirely, or as much as desired. In this particular fold of the Cellophane cover, the sides, instead of the ends of the Cellophane wrapper are turned in over the end of the package as indicated at 32, then a flap 33, starting from the end opposite the ripper tab is folded down and finally the end flap 3|, directly over the tab is secured down over the first end flap 33. In this particular illustration, the outer flap 3i, is wider than the under flap 33, to which it is attached to leave the loose tips 34, at opposite corners of the same, which can be conveniently grasped to tear away the end of the Cellophane cover over the tab 21.

When assembling the parts from continuous lengths of material as in Fig. 8, the cutting out of the tabs of the ripper strip, the slitting of the Wrapper layers and the extending of the tabs through such slits may all be effected as part of the one continuous operation, so as to automatically accomplish proper registry and assem bly of parts.

Thus in Fig. 8, companion rolls 35, 36, are provided between which passes a stock strip Ila, wide enough for the ripper strip Il and its attached tabs 21. One of these rolls 35, has a curved knife 31, cooperating with a groove 38, in the other roll 36, to narrow down the strip to the required width and to leave tabs, in properly spaced relation. Roll 36 is also shown equipped with perforating pins 39, to cooperate with seats 40, in the other roll for forming the transverse rows of perforations 28.

Cooperating rolls 4I, I2, pass the inner, tissue and intermediate tnfoil layers I0, il, and in so doing, a knife 43 on one cuts the slits 28 in these two layers.

The strip is guided down on top of the inner layer material by a shoe or equivalent 44, and in passing down to this position, the outstanding tabs 21, are turned downward by a curved edge guide 45, so as to meet and be forced down through the slits 28, by the overstanding guide 44.

The main or printed cover strip l2 is shown as guided up into position beneath the foil layer at a point beyond the tab inserting shoe 44, and after it reaches this position, the tabs may be turned down over the outside of this main cover strip as by means of a suitable flap turning guide 46.

While of particular utility for the packaging of cigarettes, it will be evident that the invention is adapted to many other uses. The cost is low, because the ripper strip may be of inexpensive material and it may be automatically applied in the act of assembling the wrapper sheets. The invention adds no bulk to the package and in fact improves the package by reinforcing and holding it to shape. The tearing tab is a distinctive part which may be used for advertising or may carry instructions as to proper use of the invention, though the latter are hardly necessary, as the tab indicates its purpose by its presence. The invention furthermore, does not in any way interfere with the application of the usual revenue seal and the destroying of the seal when the package is opened.

What is claimed is:

l. A wrapper foldable in definite order to form an enclosure for an object of predetermined shape and composed of layers of cover material, a tearing strip coextensive and foldable with that portion of the wrapper which forms the top of the enclosure and a tab projecting from the edge of said tearing strip. at the point where one end of the top will be formed in the folding of the Wrapper, saidvtab being disposed to lie at the outside of the outer cover layer of the folded wrapper.

2. A Wrapper foldable in definite order to form an enclosure for an object of predetermined shape and composed of layers of cover material, a tearing strip coextensive and foldablewith that portion of the wrapper which forms the top of the enclosure and a tab projecting from the edge of said tearing strip at the point where one end of the top will beY formed in the folding of the wrapper, said tab being disposed to lie at the outside of the outer cover layer of the folded wrapper, said tearing strip being located inside the inner cover layer and said inner cover layer being slotted for passage of said tab.

3. A wrapper foldable'in definite order to form an enclosure for an object of predetermined shape and composed of layers of cover material, a tearing strip coextensive and foldable with that portion of the wrapper which forms the top of the enclosure and a tab projecting from the edge of said tearing strip at the point where one end of the top will be formed in the folding of the wrapper, said tab being disposed to lie at the outside of the outer cover layer of the folded wrapper, said tearing strip being located between cover layers and the outer of said cover layers being slotted for the protrusion of said tab. 4. A wrapper blank and a tearing strip applied to one face and extending along one edge portion of the blank, said strip having a line or lines of weakness transversely of the same and having a gripping portion at the outer face of the wrapper by which pull may be applied to the tearing strip to effect the tearing away of the wrapper up to said line or lines of weakness aforesaid.

5. A package of generally parallelepiped form and including a confining wrapper and a reinforcement folded coextenslvely with and in the same overlapping folds as the top forming portion of said wrapper, said thus folded reinforcement for said top portion of the wrapper having a protruding grip by which pull may be applied to tear lthe top away from the balance of the wrapper.

6. A package of generally parallelepiped form and including a confining wrapper and a reinforcement folded coextensively with and in the same overlapping folds as the top forming portion of said wrapper. said thus folded reinforcement for said top portion of the wrapper having a protruding grip 'by which pull may be applied to tear Ythe top away from the balance of the wrapper. said reinforcement having a line or lines of weakness transversely of the top and said grip being located at one end of the top, whereby the top may be readily torn away either wholly or only partially to said line or lines of weakness.

'1. A wrapper foldable in definite order to form an enclosure for an object of predetermined shape and composed of a layer or layers of cover material, a tearing strip coextensive and foldable with v that portion of the wrapper which forms the 'top of the enclosure, said strip having a line or lines of weakness transversely of the same and having a gripping portion by which pull may be applied to eifect the tearing away of the wrapper up to said line or lines of weakness aforesaid.

8. A container having connected generally parallel sides and ends and having inwardly turned overlapping side and end ilaps forming a top for the container and a ripper strip attached to and folded inwardly with said aie and end flaps into overlapping relation, said ripper strip having a grip portion.

9. A container having connected generally parallel sides and ends andv having inwardly turned overlapping side and end flaps forming a top for the container and a ripper strip attached to and folded inwardly with said side and end aps into overlapping relation, said ripper strip having a grip portion and having an edge substatially coinciding with the edge of the top to effect shearing of the wrapper material when the top is torn away.

10. A wrapper foldable on lines to form the side and ends of a container, a ripper strip extending along one edge portion of said wrapper across said lines of folding and foldable on such lines in the form of said side and end panels, said portion being further foldable along the edge of said applied ripper strip to form a top panel of the container.

11. A wrapper foldable on lines to form the side and ends of a container, a ripper strip extending along one edge portion of said wrapper across said lines of folding and foldable on such lines in the forming of said side and end panels. said portion V being further foldable along the edge of said ap-A plied ripper'strip to form a top panel of the container and a finger grip tab projecting from said folding edge of `theripper strip in a position between the folding lines which produce one of the end panels. v

12. A wrapper foldable on lines to form the side and ends of a container, a'ripper strip extending along one edge portion of said wrapper across said lines of folding and foldable on such lines in the' forming of said side and end panels, said portion being further foldable along the edge of said applied ripper strip to forma top panel of the container, a finger grip tab projecting from said folding edge of the ripper strip in a position between the folding lines which produce one of the end panels and said edge portion being further foldable across said ripper strip on tuck forming lines inwardly of the wrapper on convergent lines toward the opposite edges of said tab.

13. A wrapper of the character disclosed, comprising a generally rectangular blank foldable on lines toform the sides and ends of a container, a ripper strip extending along one edge portion of said wrapper and across said lines of folding and foldable on such lines in continuation of the sides and ends of the container, the inner edge of said ripper strip being positioned to coincide with the top of the completed container and said edge portion and ripper strip being foldable along said edge inwardly of the container in overlapping tuck folds to form a top panel of increased thickness buiit up by overlapped portions of said wrapper material and said ripper strip. y

14. A combination as in claim 13, in which the ripper strip has a finger grip portion on said inner edge located at the top of the container and directly connected with the overlapped built up portion of the ripper strip to facilitate tearing away of the built up top panel along the line denned by said inner edge of the ripper strip.

REX TOWNSEND. 

